I don't like to celebrate birthdays, says Rohit Shetty

Rohit Shetty who has been stationed in  Wai (outside Mumbai for the shooting of Chennai Express with Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone) spoke to After Hrs about how he will spend the day and why there is no celebration planned. Read on... 

So the last of 30s. Any thoughts?
I hope people will start taking me seriously now (laughs).

How are you spending the day?
I am working today, shooting for Chennai Express in Panchgani. It’s a normal day for me and I  thank God that I am working today. I am doing what I love the most — shooting.

You will turn 40 next year. Any fears of mid-life crisis?
Not really. I don’t feel close to 40.

What did you do last year on your birthday?
Last year I was in office where my team brought me a cake and I had to cut it. The year before that I was shooting for Singham. I have been busy shooting for my last few birthdays and the unit usually brings a cake. This year too, they will do the same. I don’t look forward to my birthday. For me, it’s just another day.

Any wishlist for gifts?
I don’t believe in gifts. I stopped celebrating it since my dad (action director Shetty) passed away when I was eight-year-old.  I feel shy celebrating it now. I didn’t celebrate it when I was a kid and teenager. Before that my parents used to arrange my birthday. After my dad passed away I didn’t cut a cake for years...

You have just bought a spanking new office...
I have got myself a new office in Andheri as I needed my own space. It’s a big space as I have invested whatever I have earned (laughs) in that as I spend a lot of time there writing and interacting with my team. My sister, my art director Naren Rahurikar and I have designed it together. 

Most men face a mid-life crisis and do things like buying a Ferrari or falling for a 20-year-old...
I would love to own a Ferrari but when I think of the potholes in Mumbai roads my heart goes a spin so I won’t do that.

Are you happy with what you have achieved?
Yes I am more than happy! I am the luckiest person in the world because of all the fame I have got.

If there’s one thing you could undo about your life what would that be?
I don’t know... I am an introvert. I keep things to myself. I don’t say things to people because I don’t want to hurt people so in the bargain I end up hurting myself. In retrospect I feel I should  have been more outspoken and stopped myself from getting hurt so much...

Your most memorable birthday yet....
It’s yet to come (smiles)!

Who is the first person to wish you every year?
It depends on who gets through to me but usually my mom is the first.

One wish you want to make to God on your birthday?
Keep me in your blessings... The rest God has given me.